Encyclopedia of Yoruba Culture
Language,History &Culture.
Our aim is to preserve, illuminate and share the richness of Yoruba heritage—because the story belongs to all of us.
02
03Browse by Section
Seven Pillars of
Yoruba Heritage
Language
Ede
Tonal system, dialects, orthography, and the linguistic structure that gives Yoruba its melodic soul.
History
Itan
From the sacred city of Ile-Ife through the mighty Oyo Empire to the complexities of the modern era.
Religion
Esin
Orishas, Ifa divination, cosmology, and the spiritual traditions that continue to shape the world.
Proverbs
Owe
Centuries of wisdom, ethics, and worldview distilled into the poetic compression of the spoken word.
Names
Oruko
Every name tells a story -- the traditions, meanings, and deep cultural significance of Yoruba naming.
Diaspora
Ibi-ayo
The global journey of Yoruba culture across the Atlantic and its living legacy in the Americas and beyond.
Owe Yoruba — Proverb
Bi a ba n je igi,
a n wo ese re.
When we are eating the fruit of a tree, we look at its roots — we must consider the origins and foundations of things.
Featured Entries
Essential
Starting Points
Begin your journey with these foundational entries, selected for their breadth and significance.